Vodafone Business teamed up with Enterprise Nation in 2021 to launch business.connected, a free digital skills platform which has so far benefitted over 100,00 SMEs to upskill their digital capabilities.
This partnership has been such a success that we have now committed to a further three years of the programme, with the aim of helping 800,000 SMEs during this time. Having previously partnered with Samsung and Cisco for a range of content and training, we are pleased to announce that we now also have Safe and Zym joining the programme for an even wider variety of training topics.
Small Business Minister Jane Hunt MP emphasised her support for the initiative by commenting “Small businesses are at the forefront of British enterprise and this scheme from Vodafone shows the power the private sector can have to help many achieve new levels of innovation and success.”
Business.connected was set up to help SMEs adopt new technology, boost digital skills and stay safe online. Through it we deliver free online courses, training and webinars, covering everything from managing an online business to digital marketing and cybersecurity, and our new commitment allows us to support even more small-medium business get the help and guidance they need to navigate a challenging economy.
Joining current partners Samsung and Cisco are Sage and Zym. Sage is the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll, and will offer help with accounting and finance, while small business specialist Zym will provide marketing and sales CRM focused courses.
Small Business Minister Jane Hunt MP added: “The business.connected scheme complements a range of government support on offer, such as our Help to Grow: Digital initiative, equipping small businesses across the country with the essential tools they need to boost productivity and grow.”
Andrew Stevens, Head of UK Small and Medium Business, Vodafone said: “We are delighted to further our support and commitment to SMEs through the extension of the business.connected programme for a further three years. The initiative has already helped over 115,000 SMEs upgrade their digital capabilities. And with growing uncertainty in the economy and rises in the cost of living – alongside our partners Enterprise Nation, Cisco, Samsung, Sage and Zym; we look forward to upskilling the digital proficiencies of 800,000 more, as digital channels continue to provide a vital and cost-effective solution in helping SMEs adapt and thrive within a challenging economic environment.”
Andreas Georgiou, VP Product Marketing, Sage said: “Our partnership with the business.connected hub provides the stepping stones to help small businesses get the right accounting and finance advice and support needed to digitalise their operations and be more resilient and successful.
“By being part of this initiative, we can help accelerate tech adoption, which will boost the digital economy and help unlock growth.”
Michael Carlin, Zym, Founder and CEO said: “We believe this new partnership has the potential to be a real gamechanger for small business owners right across the UK. Zym is a unique automated digital platform, created specifically for start-ups and small businesses who want to scale at speed. As part of this new initiative our team will be helping to educate and upskill small business owners in key areas of marketing and sales through the programme’s workshops, webinars, and e-learning portals. Success for us is seeing businesses availing of the Government’s Help to Grow support, harnessing automated digital marketing, and experiencing rapid, sustainable growth.”
Discover the full range of free digital business courses, tools and webinars available through business.connected.
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